This blog is dedicated to our dear friend, Nosson Deitsch OBM, who was tragically torn away from us on Lag B’Omer 5770.

Nosson was a one-of-a kind Bochur who influenced many people, from all ages and backgrounds. He had a perpetual smile on his face and an extremely generous heart. He would do the biggest favor for a friend with only a moment’s notice. All those who knew him feel they had a unique relationship with him.

There are many untold stories of his selflessness, kindness, and the affect he had on countless lives. Please share your story, so that others can get a glimpse into his unique character and towering accomplishments.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

By Shlomy Levertov

When I heard the news in OT that I will iy”h be going on Shlichus to California with Nosson I was very excited! We had a bochur in our group who had the ability to change every negative situation into a positive and exciting experience. Speaking to bochurim just a couple years older then me I already knew that Yeshivah Shlichus usually puts a group thru many tense and difficult situations (in terms of working together as a team, arranging different projects with deadlines and…).

Through out the year I realized even more how much Nosson meant to our group. During our weekly meeting when ever a discussion became to heated Nosson knew what to do and did what ever he needed to do to calm things down. Every Thursday night he would go around at 1:00am delivering booklets on Chassidus to shuls in the LA area - Not once did I hear him complain why he had that job. Anytime something needed to be picked up from a store (on a lighter note he really enjoyed buying supplies from Staples) he would agree to do it - not waiting for us to go around the table 3 times till one of the 12 of us agreed. If coffee needed to be bought at 6:45 in the morning for a Mivtzah - Nosson was the one to happily take the job. And I could go on…

When Nosson decided to “move to a different Shlichus in Miami” (Those are the words he told me in one of our many discussion on the subject. - Our seats in Zal weren’t even a foot away from each other.) I had mixed emotions. Happy that Nosson will be doing what he wanted. But sad for the bochurim next year who will be missing this exceptionally dedicated Shliach, sad for our group of Shluchim who could have enjoyed and benefited from having him a second year.

Another memory springs to mind, in the last 5-6 Weeks of Nosson Shlichus in CA he felt it very important to start a Mivtzah on learning Tanya Bal Peh. Speaking over the money situation he understood that we just finished paying off our $5,000 debt from Chanukah, Purim and Pesach and will not be able to fund a hefty Mivtzah... But of course that wouldn't stop Nosson - He promised every bochur who learns a perek tanya bal peh - even if they already learnt it previously - $20 and went about the task to fund raise the money.

Even after he left LA, during meetings we would call him and ask his opinion, counting him in on our votes. If ever Nosson's name was mentioning by a Farbrengen we knew someone would soon start the *Zhebiner Hartz - his trademark nigun. Sometimes we would call him to hear a good vort. The same was true the other way around, just as we kept him in mind so he always kept up with us, some nights during Farbrengens in Florida he would call and leave messages on our answering machines… the same will continue to be true, Nosson will always retain a special place in our hearts…

With the last couple weeks of our Shlichus in California we will make sure to do all in our power to promote the special things that Nosson cared about.

A fellow Shliach

Shlomy Levertov

* The town Zhebin, in White Russia, was populated by two types of Chabad Chassidim. The "thinkers" who devoted themselves to the intellectual aspects of Chassidut and the "emotive" type who concentrated upon the service of G-d through protracted prayer and melody. This Niggun, as its name (the Heart of Zhebin) clearly indicates, is of the second kind. Although Nosson learnt alot of Chassidus what sticks out the most to me is how he excelled in his Love for every Jew!